Monday, August 16, 2010

There is a double meaning to this piece. Sure the elements are painted well and they are arranged in an interesting and compelling composition but the underlying meaning is not all that ambiguous when you consider the title. You're gambling with your life when you make certain life choices, whether it's drinking, smoking or playing cards (for money). Most of my paintings don't have a hidden social message-- I just thought this one might be fun to do and I actually can credit my husband Scott with the idea. We were on vacation and it was raining so I couldn't paint outside and I was searching the cabin for still life subjects to paint. When he saw me grab the pipe off a wall display he suggested the German beer bottle on display in the kitchen area. It all works well when grouped in a circular pattern and linked with the shadow shapes.

Friday, August 13, 2010

I finished this painting last night and I will l probably enter it in a few shows if it doesn't sell immediately. I emphasized the light streaming through the window and how it creates a mellow contrast to the blacksmith's hammer and anvil. The background is interesting but not too much so. This is a timeless piece that could have been created at any time in the past 100 years.

Sunday, August 08, 2010

My family and I just returned from vacationing in the Upper Peninsula on Lake Huron. We stayed at a really nice place near Hessel, MI - right on St. Martin's Bay. With a lakefront view facing southwest we had truly awesome sunrise and sunset views.
I brought along standard size 8x10 and 11x14 panels to paint on just for the ease of transporting them in my wet canvas carriers. The first painting shows a view of the bay in the early morning. The second one was painted in late afternoon. Notice how the atmospheric conditions affect the view dramatically. We experienced days when the weather was quite humid and the lake was misty. When the wind picked up conditions cleared and the waves became choppy. It was a great experience for us as we live quite a ways inland.